Simultaneous inhibition of focal adhesion kinase and SRC enhances detachment and apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src have been shown to be overexpressed in colon cancer. We have studied the role of these two kinases in resistance to apoptosis. Adenovirus-containing FAK-CD (Ad-FAK-CD), a dominant-negative, COOH-terminal portion of FAK, was used to inhibit FAK and cause apoptosis. Colon cancer cell lines were more resistant to Ad-FAK-CD-induced detachment and apoptosis than the breast cancer cell line, BT474. Colon cancer cell lines overexpressed highly active Src and FAK. Ad-FAK-CD-induced apoptosis was significantly increased by PP2, an inhibitor of Src family kinases. Activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of FAK, and Src and AKT activities were demonstrated in Ad-FAK-CD + PP2-treated colon cancer cells undergoing apoptosis. The results suggest that FAK and Src are both important survival factors, playing a role in protecting colon cancer cell lines from Ad-FAK-CD-induced apoptosis. Dual inhibition of these kinases may be important for therapies designed to enhance the apoptosis in colon cancers.